The future Hollywood superstar played a hunk in Trisha Yearwood's 1992 video for "Walk Away Joe."

The video, which also features Don Henley on vocals, shows the boyishly handsome, 23-year-old McConaughey chasing his girlfriend through a field of corn, giving her some bedroom eyes, and even skinny-dipping.

So how did this all come about?

"He was cast from local talent in Austin, Tex., where the footage was shot," Yearwood tells PEOPLE. "The performance with Don Henley was shot in Nashville, so I never met Matthew. About 10 years ago, we were both at the Grammys and trying to connect but we kept missing each other – he was backstage when I was in the audience, and vice-versa."

Still, Yearwood says she feels somewhat responsible for discovering his talents early on. "Honestly, I'm so happy to see him recognized for his work in Dallas Buyers Club," she says. "And if he ever wants to be in another Trisha Yearwood video, I won't make him audition."